We have updated our Birchmount Hospital phone lines. When you call through the main line (416-495-2400), you will need to add “7” when dialing an extension.

Cardiac Diagnostics

Scarborough Health Network (SHN) provides Cardiac Diagnostics across our three hospitals. We offer a wide range of diagnostic services to support inpatient and emergency programs, as well as referrals from outpatient clinics at the hospital and in the community.
 
As a support service, the Cardiac Diagnostics department plays a vital role in providing timely and accurate investigations to assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. These tests use images and data to diagnose heart diseases, see the effects caused by a heart attack, and monitor how chronic heart patients are doing. This helps determine if you need further cardiac treatments or interventions.
 
The department works collaboratively with all clinical programs to ensure the best outcomes for the patients we collectively serve.
 
Our technologists are highly trained and certified, and focuses on providing a respectful, prompt and excellent patient care experience.

Our Services

Sometimes it’s easier for us see how your heart is doing when it is working hard and beating fast. This is called stress testing. During these tests, we monitor your heart while you are performing physical activity, such as walking or running on a treadmill, or pedaling a stationary bike. The types of stress tests that we offer are: graded exercise stress test (GXT), stress echocardiogram and nuclear myocardial imaging.

Learn More

This important test helps to get a better idea of what your blood pressure is like throughout the day when you are doing normal activities. You are given a small portable device known as an ambulatory blood pressure monitor to wear over a 24-hour period, and we use the readings from the monitor to determine if there are times when your blood pressure is very low or very high.

Learn More

In this test, sound waves are used to create moving pictures of your heart. With this image, we can get a closer look at the shape and structure of your heart, as well as the blood flow. The types of echocardiography tests we offer are: Transthoracic Echocardiogram and Transesophageal Echocardiogram.

Learn More

We also provide neurophysiology services that help us to assess other aspects of your body that may be related to your cardiac condition. An electroencephalogram (EEG) procedure is used to look at your brain activity. It is mainly performed to diagnose seizures, as well as head injuries, infection, tumors, etc. — all of which may affect your heart. We offer both routine and sleep-deprived EEGs. An electromyogram (EMG) procedure is performed to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them (motor neurons). EMG results can reveal nerve dysfunction, muscle dysfunction or problems with nerve-to-muscle signal transmission.

Learn more 

We offer several tests that allow us to assess if you have an arrhythmia—which is an irregular heartbeat or abnormal heart rhythm. We may use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the electrical activity of your heart, or we may use a portable device such as a Holter monitor or continuous loop recorder to record your heart rhythm for a period of time.

We have a cardiologist on-site to provide assessments to patients coming from the community, who are experiencing chest pain or other serious cardiac-related symptoms. Patients needing an urgent consultation can even be seen on the same day. After the consultation and tests, the cardiologist will notify your family physician about any abnormalities and/or risk factors and work with you, your doctor and your family to develop the right treatment plan.

Making a Referral

Physician referral is required for all procedures and a signed requisition must be available prior to testing.

Ocean eReferral

These clinics now accept Ocean eReferrals! For additional information, please email your Ontario Health East Deployment Team at contact@ereferralontarioeast.ca.

SHN, the Scarborough Ontario Health Team (SOHT), and Scarborough Family Physicians Network (SFPN) are working together to support healthcare providers in our community who may be interested in onboarding onto Ocean. Get started by completing the Ontario Health East online form.

Fax Referral

Cardiac Diagnostics PDF Referral Form

Our Health Care Team

When it comes to performing cardiac diagnostic services, our team has the expertise and experience like no other. Our cardiologists are some of the best in the region, and our technologists have been specially-trained for each diagnostic test. We are here to provide you with the care you require to put you on the road to better heart health.